Green Chic

Super cute and comfy. Not the words to describe many of my shoes. I have a thing for shoes, and am willing to endure slight discomfort when necessary in the name of fashion. I’m sure I will eat my words at some point, having come down with a foot ailment that can be traced to my love of heels. But for now, it’s working for me. It’s not like I’m completely uncomfortable; I’m not on my feet all day, I do have my share of fun flats and flip-flops and doesn’t the amount of time I’m in my running shoes even things out? It’s all relative. Some girls just don’t like heels, period. But give me an opportunity to don a pump, wedge, kitten heel or stiletto, and I’m one happy woman.

So you can imagine how fun it is to have found these stylish sandals, which are both super cute and comfy. Cooler yet is the story behind them.

As Jennifer Lett and Karen Boyle will tell you, theirs is a story not unlike so many others who are navigating choppy waters thanks to our enduring economic storm. The Traverse City, Mi. friends-turned-business partners are behind the cleverly-named Blue Jeans Gone Green, a business born out of necessity – and a desire to do something good and right.

With Jen laid off from her recruiter position earlier this year, Karen’s once-thriving daycare business took another hit. (I know how hard this was for Jen to tell Karen her kids would no longer be coming to her home while she worked; we had to break similar news to Karen last year when my husband was laid off from his job). Taking stock of their situations, and realizing they shared a vision for how they’d like to move forward with their lives, the pair began brainstorming business ideas. Both women desired flexible work schedules for themselves and their families. They also wanted to create an environmentally-friendly product.

Using reclaimed denim -- from Goodwill, family and friends, wherever great jean material could be found -- they started creating a variety of products. Ultimately, it was sandals, originally inspired by Jen’s sister-in law, that garnered the most attention. Turning out a "green" product was important -- as was ensuring a comfortable shoe. The idea: that these sandals would be as classically comfortable as the jeans that embellish them.

The icing on the cake came when they found a shoe sole that not only was comfy, but was made of recycled rubber. "We like to say we're helping our environment one pair at a time," Karen says.

I got my first pair last week and I wore them all weekend, walking downtown, hanging out at a family reunion and later relaxing at a neighborhood bonfire. The squishy soles of these wedges -- knowing my tastes well, Jen suggested for me The Erin Wedge, pictured above -- made my feet very happy no matter where I went. Equally as great is how these "flip-flops" stand out among all the others out there.

You can order Blue Jeans Gone Green sandals online here. Want to check 'em out in real life? If you're in the Traverse City area this week, stop by the first annual Mt. Holiday Ladies' Night Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17th. Jen and Karen will be on hand at the at the community ski resort's shopping, shoes and cocktails event. They'll have a selection of their shoes on hand, and if you bring in your unwanted blue jeans, they'll make a charitable contribution to Mt. Holiday. Want to learn more? Contact Jen & Karen at sales@bluejeansgonegreen.com